It is that time of year again, as the 2013-14 NBA Playoffs are one day away from commencing. Questions have been pondered about the first round of the playoffs since the NBA season came to an end this past Wednesday. Questions such as: Can any of the top seeds be challenged? Will the chalk prevail? What higher seeds are dangerous? Will there be any upsets?

These questions will be answered in two weeks’ time, but here are my predictions for each first round matchup.

The NBA season is over, and several seeds for the playoff teams were decided on the final day. That shifted around our Pick ‘Em results a bit. That’s especially true when the Thunder bested the Clippers for #2, securing home-court advantage in the second round. The Raptors were a surprise division winner in the East, and while the Pacers were a popular choice, rising all the way to the East’s #1 was unforeseen.

The East was a significant jumbling of seeds from what was predicted, and other the Clippers and Rockets, the West wasn’t too much better. And with the Spurs easily winning the NBA’s best record, the West was even better than the East than usual.

Just one week remains in the season, but plenty is left to decide. The top seed in the East is still a tossup. The last spots in each conference are still alive. Middle seeding could still get jumbled up. There may be favorites to win, but a lot of teams will make a strong bid to pull off some upsets, so let’s look at what would happen if the playoffs started as of Thursday, April 10, before the day’s games: Continue reading If the Playoffs Started Today – NBA Week 22 »

With just two weeks in the season, the playoff picture is starting to come into focus. Nine spots, including four divisions, are locked up. Home-court advantage in the East is a dead heat. The #8 spots are also very close. In fact, teams 7-9 in the West are all tied at 44-31. In fact, other than the Spurs, any team could move up or down a seed or two in quick fashion, so let’s look at what would happen if they playoffs started as of Thursday, April 3 before the day’s games: Continue reading If the Playoffs Started Today – NBA Week 21 »

Just a few weeks, 10 or so games, remain in the season. San Antonio continues to put themselves in a great position, but nothing is for certain with the Thunder close behind and so much of the standings still up for grabs. Some teams are settling in for ping pong balls, but plenty others have a great chance at making noise in the postseason, so let’s look at what would happen if the playoffs started as of Thursday, March 27 at 8:00pm: Continue reading If the Playoffs Started Today – NBA Week 20 »

The NBA season is nearing its end, and the playoff picture is starting to come into focus. Teams are starting to be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, while Miami and Indiana have have punched their tickets. Many teams are still pretty close together, with minimal space between them. With so much left on the line in the last 15 games or so, let’s look at what would happen if the playoffs started as of Thursday, March 20 at 8:00pm: Continue reading If the Playoffs Started Today – NBA Week 19 »

The NBA season is reaching its climax, yet only two teams have clinched spots. For that matter, no teams have been mathematically eliminated, at least for the moment. The West is as strong as it’s been in recent memory, including three teams not in the brackets that would be if they were suddenly transplanted to the East. That means no easy rides for anyone in the West, leaving an interesting Finals for what will likely be either Indiana or Miami. That doesn’t mean either should take anyone for granted, nor should any other team do the same with plenty to be decided, so let’s look at what would happen if the playoffs started as of Thursday, March 13, before the day’s games: Continue reading If the Playoffs Started Today – NBA Week 18 »